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Vaccination coverage and sociodemographic determinants of measles–mumps–rubella vaccination in three different age groups

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Abstract

WHO–Europe’s goal is to eliminate measles and rubella by 2010 which will require a coverage rate of 95% for both MMR-vaccine doses. Belgian recommendations include a first MMR vaccine at 12 months and a second at 10–12 years of age. To survey MMR vaccination coverage, EPI two-stage random cluster samples of 1,500 toddlers (18–24 months of age), 900 primary school children (born in 1997), and 1,500 adolescents (born in 1991) living in Flanders (Belgium) were drawn. Documented MMR-vaccination was recorded and a questionnaire on sociodemographic factors was completed at home by trained interviewers in 2005. Missing data were retrieved from well-baby clinics and school health service documents. The overall response rate was 89.5%, leaving 3,490 subjects fit for analysis. MMR coverage (first dose) was 94.0% in the toddler group, 88.0% in the 7-year-olds, and 80.6% in adolescents. The 10- to 12-year dose was documented in 83.6% of the adolescents, but only 74.6% had proof of both MMR vaccines. A lower MMR coverage was noted in single or divorced parents (toddlers, adolescents), families with more than four children (toddlers, adolescents), non-Belgian parental origin (children, adolescents), lower education or unemployment of parents (toddlers, children, adolescents), low family income (children, adolescents), vaccination by the GP (toddlers, children), and education-related factors (children, adolescents). The recommended WHO coverage rate of 95% for MMR is within reach in toddlers. Documentation of vaccination is a major concern in older age groups and may explain lower coverage estimates. Children growing up in a less privileged environment deserve special attention.

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Abbreviations

EPI:

Expanded program on immunization

EU:

European Union

GP:

General practitioner

MMR:

Measles-Mumps-Rubella

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the families who participated in this study. We also thank the School Health Services (CLB), Kind en Gezin (K&G), private pediatricians, and general practitioners who willingly provided us with many missing vaccination data. We are grateful for the help of data input from Sara Daman, Katrien Hofkens, Serge Broodhaers, and Froukje Oosterhuis.

Funding

This study was funded by the Flemish Ministry of Welfare, Health and Family, Belgium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Youth Health Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Block D, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Corinne Vandermeulen, Mathieu Roelants & Karel Hoppenbrouwers

  2. Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium

    Heidi Theeten & Pierre Van Damme

Authors
  1. Corinne Vandermeulen
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  2. Mathieu Roelants
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  3. Heidi Theeten
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  4. Pierre Van Damme
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  5. Karel Hoppenbrouwers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Corinne Vandermeulen.

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Vandermeulen, C., Roelants, M., Theeten, H. et al. Vaccination coverage and sociodemographic determinants of measles–mumps–rubella vaccination in three different age groups. Eur J Pediatr 167, 1161–1168 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-007-0652-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-007-0652-3

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